Arts & Entertainment
Some gay bars offering ‘furlough’ specials
Some apply only to federal workers; others available to any customer
Drinks at Dos Locos (Photo courtesy Dos Locos)
A few D.C. gay bars are offering specials to federal employees while the government remains closed.
Among those:
• Number Nine (1435 P Street, N.W.) is offering a $3 Absolut “Shutdown” special Monday through Thursday starting at 9 p.m. just after the two-for-one regular happy hour special. One does not have to be a federal employee to get the special.
• Level One (1639 R Street, N.W.) is offering half-priced burgers every day from 5-8 p.m. until the shutdown ends (offer available to anyone). Drink discounts are also available.
• At MOVA (2204 14th Street, N.W.) federal employees can get one free well cocktail or 10 percent off their check total if they show valid government ID.
Other bars say their regular prices are reasonable enough that those prices should suffice.
“Tonight is flannel night at Phase 1,” says Manager Angela Lombardi. “If you wear flannel, there’s a ton of $3 and $4 drink specials. That’s a pretty damn good deal.”
Managers at Nellie’s and JR.’s echoed similar sentiments.
“We are really cheap already, so we really can’t go any lower,” says Dave Perruzza, manager of JR.’s
Freddie’s Beach Bar and Town Danceboutique are also maintaining their regular prices. Several calls placed to Ziegfeld’s/Secrets were not immediately returned. No “shutdown” specials are listed on its website.
MOVA Manager Korosh Yazdanpanah says a federal employee who visited the bar Thursday gave him the idea, even though the person was “essential” and thus, working.
“Even though he’s working, he was just saying there’s a lot of uncertainty about whether he’ll get paid on time,” Yazdanpanah says. “So we decided to offer something a little different.”
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Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington held the annual Spring Affair gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme for this year’s fete was “Sapphire & Sparkle.” The chorus celebrated 45 years in D.C. with musical performances, food, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Executive Director Justin Fyala and Artistic Director Thea Kano gave welcoming speeches. Opening remarks were delivered by Spring Affair co-chairs Tracy Barlow and Tomeika Bowden. Uproariously funny comedian Murray Hill performed a stand-up set and served as the emcee.
There were performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington groups Potomac Fever, 17th Street Dance, the Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.
Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t bound by blood ties: we are brought together by shared experience,” Murthy said. “Being Gen Z, I grew up with Ellen [DeGeneres] telling me through the TV screen that it gets better: that one day, it’ll all be okay. The sentiment isn’t wrong, but it’s passive. What I’ve learned from GMCW is that our future is something we practice together. It exists because people like you continue to show up for it, to believe in the possibilities of what we’re still becoming”
The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Harmony Awards. This year’s awardees included local drag artist and activist Tara Hoot, the human rights organization Rainbow Railroad as well as Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director, Dr. Chipper Dean.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)
Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Photos
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Ashley Biden accepts award for Beau Biden at annual Rehoboth fundraiser
The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
